Patients' shock at death of GP (From Western Telegraph)

Patients' shock at death of GP

THE tragic death of a popular and committed doctor has come as a horrific shock to patients and colleagues.

Dr Paul Goodson, a GP at Laws Street Surgery, Pembroke Dock, for more than 15 years, was found dead at Scoveston Woods, near Neyland, on Wednesday. He leaves a wife, two young children, his mother and two sisters.

Pembroke Dock's Mayor, Councillor Ron Watts, described the loss as a 'devastating blow for both his family and patients'.

The 44-year-old, of 45 St Leonards Avenue, Crundale, was well-known and respected around the county for his work with health-related organisations.

"Dr Goodson was hugely supportive when we set up the South Pembrokeshire Breastfeeding Support Group," said founding member Fiona Phillips.

He was also instrumental in starting the Doctors on Call service, now run by the Local Health Board.

The board's chief executive Bernardine Rees said: "Members of the LHB are saddened and feel very strongly that we have lost a GP who cared passionately about services for patients in Pembrokeshire."

She described Dr Goodson as a good friend and mentor to the LHB, saying his pioneering work for out-of-hours services bears testimony to his visionary ability.

"Our thoughts are with the family he leaves behind," she said.

Dr Goodson grew up in Pembrokeshire, moved to Leicester and qualified from the London Hospital in Mile End Road, before returning to the county as a junior doctor training to be a GP. As such he came under the care of vocational training scheme course organiser Dr Roger Burns, who remembers him as a wise and compassionate GP.

He was also a power boat enthusiast, proud fisherman and gourmet chef.

"An evening meal at his house was a memorable privilege and usually the participants were on edge with anticipation as Paul experimented with a new recipe," said Dr Burns.

"Paul had a whole-hearted enthusiasm for everything he did, along with a good sense of humour."

Of his colleague and friend's work with the LHB and Doctors on Call, Dr Burns said: "Paul discovered considerable skills within himself, which related to persuasion, the management of change, the art of the possible, and bidding for considerable resources to improve the lot of Pembrokeshire's residents."

Dr Goodson was the son of former Pembrokeshire chief constable, Alan Goodson.

The funeral will take place at St James', Church, Manorbier, at 11.30am on Friday and a memorial service will also be held, at a later date.